My September Wishlist 2016

Aloha, peaches! So, if you know me you know that I am a total autumnal gal. I absolutely love it! Last year I did a whole post dedicated to why I love Autumn which you can view here<. It is to date one of my most favourite blog posts because it just sums up this season for me. Nothing beats wrapping up all cozy walking over fallen crunchy leaves whilst sipping a hazelnut hot chocolate or pumpkin spice latte. If that doesn't give you warm fuzzy feelings then I don't know what will! With the new season comes new releases (and some older pieces!) from your favourite brands. Bring on the jewel-tones, faux fur and coats! My fave! Here is a list of all the things I am lusting after this month...

Dusty Jacket

Bright & Beautiful via Collectif

£54

I actually have the matching lace up skirt to this so naturally I need the complete set, amiright?

OOTD: Safari Sass (ft. Hell Bunny)

 
Aloha lovelies! We have been having some absolutely gorgeous weather here in the UK recently so I have been trawling my wardrobe for all of my crop tops and shorts to make the most of this boiling hot (by UK standards!) sunshine! If you have been following me on social media for a while you will know that I am a massive fan of matching two pieces. I just think they are so versatile and can be mixed up and changed whenever you want something a little different. When Hell Bunny first released their SS16 collection I was so impressed by the variety of new unique prints. The one that stood out to me the most was definitely the Safari print. I had never seen anything like it before which can be a rarity in the reproduction market. It is the perfect balance between novelty and chic. The print feels a lot more authentic than a lot of other 'different' prints I have seen before as they have kept the colour scheme pretty neutral and almost 'understated' which I love.

OOTD - Naturally Nautical (featuring Rockabilly Pinup)

Aloha! So when I started my blogging journey OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) posts were a regular feature here on www.atomicamber.com and I want to bring them back! I love seeing how people style certain pieces and I love drawing inspiration from them too. It's easy to get in a fashion-rut with your clothing so having a search and looking at how other people have paired their outfits can really help you work out how to bring a new lease of life to your existing wardrobe with new colour and pattern pairings and different accessories.

I live in Sussex by the seaside so naturally nautical outfits are my favourite especially when I have the perfect setting to photograph them! Beach huts, fish & chips and pebbles are all part of my local scenery and I LOVE it. I grew up near London and it was always my dream to live by the seaside.

Summertime with Emily & Fin (Isobel Dress Review)

Aloha, lovelies! I finally think we are *almost* in summer here in England! Although looking outside now it is rather grey and miserable! Typical! However, we have had the odd beautiful warm day recently. As soon as the sun comes out all I want to do is put on my shades, pop on a perfect summer frock and go for a picnic! So that's what I did...

Emily & Fin are a London-based brand that have now spread onto the international market. They create timeless dresses in beautifully unique prints. There is a shape to suit everyone. I chose the Isobel dress to feature here on my blog as I just fell head over heels for the scooped back. It is incredibly flattering and feminine and it has POCKETS! A must for every practical gal!

The Casual Pinup: How To Dress Retro Everyday!

Aloha, lovelies! Today's post is going to be one that I feel very passionately towards! I LOOOOVE casual dressing... I actually prefer it to wearing a dress. I would much rather wear jeans and a top over a dress & petticoat. Thing is... I am a women of comfort. I just love to relax and not worry about what I am wearing - whether my bra strap is showing, or itchy petticoats or my dress is tucked into my knickers. Some may call it lazy... I call it 'practical'. I've always preferred 'everyday' clothing but especially so since become a Mamma. I'm not gunna try and carry my baby, car seat, nappy change bag and shopping at the same time whilst wearing a big ol' flouncy dress. Obviously, I do sometimes like to pop on a frock and I have particular dresses that are perfect for casual wear so here is my post to help you with dress practically whilst also keeping your retro vibes!

Matilda & Me: My Top Baby Teething Recommendations! ft. COMOTOMO

 
Aloha, lovelies! Something a little different today. The first in a series of baby-related posts that I will be doing here on my blog. As you may or may not know, I am a mummy to a 5 month old Matilda-Mae who blessed my life 5th January 16. Being a mother is the best thing in the world and I have learned SO much since beginning this crazy-rewarding-tiring journey called motherhood. One thing that quickly became apparent to me, long before I actually got the meet my baby, was that support from fellow mums/mums to be is one of the most important special things you can have during this crazy life-changing period. Nothing can prepare for it so having other people in the same boat is a massive help. It certainly makes you feel less alone during those middle-of-the-night feeds. When I was pregnant I started a facebook support group for mums/mums to be who liked retro-style and it blossomed into the most wonderful supportive friendly community of beautiful like-minded women all going through the same/similar things. The group is called 'Retro Mummies & Pregnant Pinups' and for anyone interested here is the link - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1496059897361717/

Anyway, back to the actual reason for this post! Matilda-Mae started teething early and has been teething for over 2 months. She has only now just cut her first tooth with the second one attempting to make its way through now (boo!). As most Mumma's will know... Teething is HELL. I can't lie it is bloody terrible. So I've got my list of must-haves for this testing time that will hopefully help you get through the screaming-rosy-cheeked-dribbly phase of teething.

Button Back Door Dress Review by Love Ur Look | Atomic Amber

Aloha, peaches! We have finally had some beaaaautiful weather here in England and of course living here in East Sussex by the seaside it means only one thing when we get sunshine - TIME TO HIT THE BEACH! And that is what I did and I did it in style! I wore my gorgeous new dress that was kindly sent to me by Love Ur Look. We have been planning on working together since last year just as I got pregnant so it got held off but hey, good things come to those who wait! Good things in the form of the 'Button Back Door Dress'.

Step Into Spring With Doll Me Up!

 Aloha, spring chickens! I just cannot believe it's APRIL already!? It's scary how quickly this year is going already... Even scarier when you have a baby who doesn't stop changing and growing every day! However, the great thing about the year going quickly is that the weather just keeps getting better and better! It's been so lovely to dust off all of the pastels and florals ready for the sunshine.

One of my favourite things about Spring is the new blossoming flowers. There is something about the bright colours of the florals that wash over your local parks and gardens that brings me instant happiness. When I was younger, I went through a phase of wanting to be a florist so I have always had a penchant for pretty blossoms. It's lovely and refreshing to see the once dead-from-the-winter trees and grass come to live again for a new season.

My Style Change: 60's girl in a 50's world

Aloha, sweeties! So, as some of you may have noticed the last couple of months my style has definitely had quite an obvious change. I discovered my love for 60's style back in November when I tried it out during my pregnancy with the Bright & Beautiful Tessa Babydoll Dress (blog post about it here!). I fell in love. I just loved the comfort and relaxed feel of it all - there is definitely another level of 'fun' with the 60's that I just didn't quite feel with the 50's. Maybe it's the freedom of wearing something short? I don't know. Just a disclaimer by the way - I do still love 50's pinup style, I still admire the aesthetic and think it does look amazing... All of my opinions are just based on my personal experience. I have dressed in a pinup/50's/40's style for three years and I just felt a bit 'stale'... A little bit 'been there done that' (aside from all the other things that I'll explain in my post), if you know what I mean?


So, back to how sixties makes me feel... You know, aside from super comfortable... I think especially since giving birth my body just isn't what it was and I'm totally okay with that. It's not far off and I know I am very lucky to have shrunk back to my old size (you clever uterus, you!) but I just don't feel as curvy and hourglass as I would like to if I was to wear my old 50's style. Now, don't get me wrong, I am by no means saying you have to be perfectly hourglass to dress in that way - I just feel like, for me personally, I knew I would feel better in a different style of clothing that I feel suits my body shape better.

OOTD: Sweet like chocolate... ft. Vendula London

Aloha, honeys! Even before I got into the whole retro thing... I was a sucker for anything kitsch so when Vendula London contacted me to see if I would like to feature one of their bags on my blog I was delighted. I had admittedly never heard of the brand before but I had definitely seen their iconic bags in various independent shops and because they are so recognizable it was easy to tell they were  by Vendula London. Upon browsing their site, my heart instantly longed for one of their infamous 'Grab Bags'. They are bags that look like various buildings from a pub to a sushi bar to a tea room to a florist to a perfumers - there is really something for everyone. I chose the Chocolatiers bag because... well, you know... chocolate. Also the fact that it is a gorgeous pink which is my favourite colour. Now what's not to love about a bag that combines my two favourite things?! 

When it came to styling this bag, I *instantly* knew what to pair it with. Hmmm... What could go with a pink bag that also goes with the chocolate theme... My Pinup Girl Clothing Harlequin Jenny Skirt in Chocolate Brown and Red (with lots of pink too!) of course! I decided to finish this kick-ass outfit off with a pink cropped fluffy jumper that I got a couple of years ago from good ol' Primark. I love this outfit and think the gorgeous bag ties everything together beautifully. I also kept with my as-always 60's vibes with a half-up-half-down beehive and my awesome Luxulite pink hoops.

The bag itself is superb quality. I was actually pleasantly surprised as sometimes more kitsch themed clothes/bags can be slightly lesser quality than say a plain black leather bag. It came packaged in a logo'ed dust bag which again was a really nice touch. As well as the standard short handles, it also comes with an additional long shoulder strap with is essential for me as I always prefer a longer strap so I can be hands free.

The Chocolatiers Grab Bag is surprisingly roomy and practical which is something I always look for. I can't be using those teeny-weeny-can-only-fit-lipstick-in clutch bags. The more crap I can fit in it the better :'D, especially as I'm a mum now (excuse for more crap!).

Outfit Details

Earrings - Luxulite

Fluffy jumper - Primark

Jenny Skirt - Pinup Girl Clothing (sold out)

Chocolatiers Grab Bag - Vendula London

 

 The little white hanging sign on the bag is actually 3d... It swings on the chains! Amaze!

 The longer shoulder strap

Thanks for reading my post and do give Vendula London a peek as they have some seriously gorgeous bags & purses. They would make the perfect gift, especially for Mothers Day!

All my love,

Swingin' in Gingham with Ruth

Aloha, darlings! The 60's has well and truly taken over my wardrobe! It's official. I just can't resist a shift dress, coloured tights and a high neck. I have always been told that my best asset was my long legs... So what better than a mini dress to show them off, hey? Embrace the pins! The Bright & Beautiful Ruth dress is the perfect 60's dress. With a standing collar and curved hem, the Ruth dress is just lush. I have it in 'Winter Pink Gingham' - I'm a little confused by the 'winter' part as I think this dress just screams summer time! But saying that I wore mine in winter :-).

Retro Reviews: Deluxe Creations

Aloha honey's! Now, if you know me you'll know that glitter lucite is one of my favourite things in the whole wide world. I just can't resist a good bit of sparkle. I do have quite a large collection of jewellery but my Deluxe Creations stash is by far one of my most loved... And when you see the photo's you'll know why.

Deluxe Creations is an Etsy jewellery store based in Perth, Australia. From kitsch doggy brooches to straight up glamorous hoops - they have something for everyone. The thing that impressed me the most about DC was the beautiful array of different glitters and colours their creations come in. I feel like they really offer something unique in the wonderful world of resin accessories (as I personally do find a lot of it can be a bit 'samey').

Into the woods with the 'Luna' dress by Collectif

Aloha, dolls! As you may know, I have been hunting down the perfect bump-friendly party dresses for a few months now as there is such a limited selection of maternity specific clothing on the high street (and most of the stuff that's out there isn't particularly flattering or glamorous). For me, I would personally prefer to invest in something I can wear post-pregnancy as well as whilst I'm sporting my rather large growing tummy so that is why I try to opt for dresses that aren't maternity-exclusive and just look for styles that aren't restricting on the belly area.

The 'Luna' dress by Collectif Clothing fits the bill perfectly! It is made from a heavy good quality taffeta which has a little bit of give and stretch to it. It's avaliable in two beautiful jewel-toned colours - Teal and Dark Green. I am wearing the dark green and it is stunning! It really has a true authentic vintage feel to it which is quite rare with reproduction party dresses. It comes with a removeable velvet waist tie which really cinches in your waist and gives you a wonderful hourglass shape. On the website it is tied with the bow at the back but I wanted to make a feature of it so tied it at the front.

Retro Reviews: Dolly & Dotty + OOTD's

Aloha, lovelies! My post today is going to be all about UK-based vintage inspired clothing brand. It is affordable and they have a mahoosive selection of different styles and cuts in an incredible amount of prints and colours so there is sure to be something to suit everyone's taste!

They recently contacted me to see if I wanted to review their brand and of course after checking their site I gladly agreed. Since being pregnant, I am always on the hunt for dresses that work with an ever-growing bump so I can share them with any retro-loving mums-to-be.
I wanted to pick dresses that were seasonally appropriate so I could wear them right away and also give festive outfit suggestions for those of you sporting baby bump.

Maternity Lookbook for Voodoo Vixen - 'Breana' Dress

Aloha, bunnies! I have my third and final installment to my Maternity Lookbook for Voodoo Vixen for you today featuring the 'Breana' dress. If you'd like to check out post one which features the Paula dress then click here or if you'd like to check out my second post which features the Tiger-Lilly dress then click here. As I have mentioned in my previous posts, the dresses I am featuring aren't specifically made for maternity however they have been tried and tested by yours truly who is heavily pregnant (8 months!) to give you the down low on fit, sizing and features.

Guest Post: DIY Saddle Shoes by GwenstellaMade

 

Saddle shoes were very popular in the 1940s and 1950s, and are a must-have for anyone that loves mid-century fashion. Back in 2012, I made a pair of two-tone oxford brogues using bronze fabric paint. Now that I am slowly progressing towards a more vintage-inspired wardrobe, I find that I need a pair of black and white saddle shoes to supplement my wardrobe. And being me, I'd much rather make a pair myself than to buy a pair online.
So here's a simple tutorial for everyone out there who wants to make a pair too!

Materials:

A pair of white plimsolls - I got mine from Target (If you're in the UK, Primark do them, too)
A pot of black fabric paint
A paint brush with a flat or sharp tip for precision during painting
Black fabric marker
Sticky tape - I used wash tape I have in my stash
 

I Love Autumn!

Aloha, Pumpkins! I hope you're all doing well and staying suitably wrapped up now that the temperature has dropped! Today's post is something I have been wanting to do for a while, but due to moving house and lack of internet, it delayed it slightly. Autumn is my favourite season and I wanted to do a whole post dedicated to why it makes me excited every year! I ventured out on the hunt for some browning leaves to take some fun photo's to accompany this post and of course I couldn't do an autumnal post without the mandatory 'throwing leaves in the air' photo, now could I?

These are my top five reasons why I LOVE AUTUMN! I've also included some seasonal recommendations and even some recipes for you, too :-).

The Style Diary: Bristol Elisabeth

Aloha, lovelies! I've missed you! I've been away camping but I have some awesome blog posts in the works that I just cannot wait to share with you! Including some posts all about Erstwilder's new collection and website launch. Exciting! I will be 21 weeks pregnant on the 24th August and yes, we will be hopefully finding out the baby's gender which I am super stoked for. For today's post, I have the next in my series of  'The Style Diary' where rainbow kitsch babe Bristol let's us get to know some more about herself and her amazing fashion sense!

Bristol Elisabeth



 'My name is Bristol. I live with my husband in New Jersey, in the U.S. I have lived here in New Jersey my whole life. I have one sibling, a younger sister. She's moving to Nashville very soon. At least I'll have a new place to go on a trip to!
 

Accessory Week: Viva La Lux

Aloha, honey's! The second post in my Accessory Week series is featuring gorgeous jewelry brand Viva La Lux. They are a vintage reproduction Lucite & Bakelite website based in Scotland run by a lovely lady called Bonnie. The first thing I noticed about Viva La Lux were the prices - they are so affordable. They have a stunning range of brooches, necklaces and earrings in a wide variety of colours and styles. Viva La Lux also offer a custom service so you really can get the perfect pair of earrings to match your dress! The earrings are available in studs and clip ons which is a massive bonus for gals like me with super sensitive ears. Everything is handmade by Bonnie and the quality is beautiful. They also ship internationally.
Next on my wish list from Viva La Lux is their Tiki Kitsch Celluloid necklace. Look at how stunning it is!! They literally have an accessory to for every outfit <3

Accessory Week!: Dots n' Bows(+Discount Code)

Aloha, lovelies! How are you all doing? I'm pretty good apart from the nausea and exhaustion! I am currently 14 weeks pregnant as of 6th July. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown. I've been thinking about doing some pregnancy-related posts but I'm not sure what kind of thing people would be interested in seeing, so please let me know if you have any ideas! Anyway, back to today's post... As you will have noticed by the title I am running a new series called Accessory Week where I will be reviewing a whole host of beautiful jewelry and accessory companies for you. One of my New Years Resolutions was to really up my game in accessory (I'm sorry I am going to say that word so many times this week!!) department and it's safe to say that I have quite the collection now! I definitely need to do a Brooch Collection post. 

My first brand of the week is one of my favourites - Dots N Bows. A Swedish handmade bag company. I was lucky enough to be offered the chance to design my own bag by the wonderful Zanna who is the woman behind this amazing company. When I first discovered Dots n' Bows, I instantly fell in love with their glitter vinyl and the beautiful selection of colours they had. They sell cosmetic bags, hand bags, wristlets, weekend bags, key-rings, purses and also take custom orders for everything as well as selling ready made beauties. Zanna recently created an awesome baby changing bag and you know that is of course next on my wish list :-D!
A custom made bag similar to mine would cost around £110 and if you use the discount code 'amberrose' you can get some money off! They also ship worldwide.

Website - http://dotsandbows.se

Instagram - @dots_n_bows

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dotsandbows